Contact making and breaking device.



J. 'LUNDGREN. CONTACT MAKING AND BREAKING DEVICE.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNE18, 1908.

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JfLUNDGREN. CONTACT MAKING AND BREAKING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18. 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Patented Jah. 10, 1911.

" Te ell'wham it ma concern;

noon LUNDGREN, oi irnnannnrm, PENNSYLVANIA.

coNrAc'r MAKINGAND BREAKING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pfit nt d Application flied June 1.8,.1908.1.8ri a1,19. 439,178.

Bait known ,at'I, JACOB LUNncnnN, citizen of the'United States, residing at Philmdelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Contact Making and Breaking Devices, of which the-following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric circuit making and breaking devices. The invention is especially, though not exclusively, adaptedfor use in connection with explosive engines, to control the making and breakin of an electric circuit for the production o sparks within the engine cylinder at certain predetermined intervals for the ignition of the explosive gases during the operation of the engine, wherein it is desirable to accurately control the making and breaking of the electric circuit for the production or the sparks with relation to the operation of the engine, irrespective of the various speeds v1ce;,w-hereby the time that with relation to themovement of the opat-which the engine is operated.

' The object of the invention is to rovide a simple durable and efiicient electric circuit making and breaking device having provision whereby two normally 0 on contact parts may be closed and opene atcertain predetermined intervals during the opera tion of a moving operating art of the det econtact parts are permitted to remain closed during the successive closing and opening operations may be nicely regulated; and whereby the timing of the closing of the contact parts erating part may be preserved irrespective of the speed of the operating part. I

The invention conslsts n the novel construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawingsz- Figure 1 is a vationof my improved contact making and breaking device. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. .3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3 of-Fig. 1.

ot the invention.

4 designates a suitablesupgoort which or its inten ed be of any shape and size purpose. In the drawings I have shown this support in the form of a plate, broken I 8 is a spring Figs. 4,5, 6, and 7 are elevations of four different modifications head which -is provided with radial proprojection on the plate 4.

'Engaging the. arm 8 and extending at right angles thereto, or substantially so, is

slide toward and from the arm 8 in the projection 10 and in another projection 12 on the plate 4. The other end of the pin 11 engages one arm 13 of a movable contact part 14 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 15 on the plate 1. The contact part 1 1 is provided with another arm 16, which extends fromthe pivot pin 15 adjacent the arm 13. i .The free end of the arm 16 of the contact part 14 extendsto a position adjacent a contact member or part which, in the present embodiment of my invention, is an ad- 'ustable screw 17 rovided with a suitable ead 18 and carries by a support 19 on the plate 4; the screw 17 being screwed into and through the support. Thus it will be seen that by turning the screw or contact member 17, it may be adjusted toward and from the arm or. contact part 16.

A suitable set nut 20 is provided upon the screw which is adapted to engage the support 19 and lock the screw inits adjustment.

Extending tact part 14 between the arm 13 of the conand the arm or operating part ed to thearm 13 and the other end of which is connected to the arm 8; The distance between the connection "of the spring with the front elearm-13 and the pin 15 is less than the distance between the connection of the spring by the pressure of the arm 8 against the stop 10 is greater than the pressure of the arm 13 against the pin 11, for a purpose hereinaiter explained. The tendency of the spring 21. is" to draw the free end of the arm 8 toward the axis of rotation of the member 6, and into -en agement with the stop 10, and the shape 0? each projection 7 of the memtated in the direction indicated by the arrow Jamie, 1911? end of an arm or operating part 8 which is position of 21 one end of which is connect-' 8 toward said axis is limited by a stop or one end of a pin 11 which is mounted to with the arm 8 and the pivot point 9, whe'relOQ - ber 6 is. such that when the member is roin Fig. 1, each projection will engage the against the member 17 after the arm 8 has free end of the arm 8 and move it away from the axis of rotation of the member until the arm escapes the projection; whereupon, the arm 8 will be free to be actuated by the spring to return it to normal position against the stop 10.

The plate 4 is provided with a binding post 22 to receive one terminal wire 28 of an electric circuit, and the binding post 22 is electrically connected with the contact part 14 through the plate 4 and pin 15; and the support 19 for the contact member 17 is provided with a binding post 24 to receive the other-terminal wire 25 of an electric circuit, the support 19 beinginsulated from the plate at and the contact part 14 as shown in Fig. 3. The operation of the device is as fol-- lows :It will be observed that when the parts are in the position shown in the drawings, the two contact parts 16 and 17 are open. During the rotation of the shaft 5 and therewith the member 6, the free end of the arm8 is moved outwardly from the axis of rotation of the member 6, and then freed and returned to its position against the stop 10 by the action of the spring 21, each time one of the projections 7 of the member 6 passes the free end of the arm 8, as previously explained. As each projection 7, in passing the free end of the arm 8, moves the arm away from the axis of rotation of the member 6, it also moves the arm in a direction away from the pin 11, thus permitting the arm 13, under the influence of the spring 21, to move to a position against the projection 12, and thereby project the pin 11 a slight distance beyond the stop 10 toward the arm 8. The moment the free end of the arm 8 escapes the projection 7, it is returned forcibly against the stop 10 by the action of the spring 21, thus forcibly striking the pin 11 and projecting it and therewiththe arms 13 and 16 of the contact part 14, toward the contact member 17. The direct action of the arm, however, upon the pin 11, only moves the arms 13 and 16 to the position shown in the drawings; butthe velocity acquired by the pin 11 and arms 13 and 16 of the contact part 14 during this operation moves the contact arm 16 into contact with the contact member 17, against the action of the spring 21, thus completing the electric circuit. Immediately after the contact has been made between the arm 16 and member 17, the spring 21 returns the parts to the normal position shown in the drawings. The natural elasticity of the contact part 14, and the action of the spring 21 against the arm 13, permits the velocity of the pin 11 and arms 13 and 16 to move the arm 16 ceased its direct action upon the pin, by reason of the fact that the spring 21 draws the arm 13 toward the pin 11 with less force than it draws the arm 8 against the pin 11,

as previously explained. Thus it will be seen that during the rotation of the member 6, a contact is made between the arm 16 and member 17. each time a projection 7 passes the free end of the arm 8. By permitting the free end of the arm 8 to move radially toward-the axis of rotation of the member 6, under the influence of the spring 21, when it escapes a projection 7, I am enabled to accurately control the operation of the arm 8 by the action of the spring 21 with relation to the rotation of the member 6, and thereby accurately control the timin of the closing of the contact parts 16 and 17 with relation to the movement irrespective of its speed of rotation, due to the quick action of the spring 21 the instant the free end of the arm 8 escapes a projection 7, and the arm 8 having for its actuation by the spring 21 substantially the full measure of time of each quarter turn of the shaft 5 or the movement of-a tooth 7 from one position to the position of'the next adjacent preceding tooth. The moving together of the contact parts 16 and 17 by the velocity of one of the parts against a spring action as distinguished from moving the parts together by the direct action of a positively controlled part, permits the parts 16 and 17 to remain in contact with each other but a of the member 6,

very short space of time, which is a desirable feature of my invention. The-spaceof time that the part 16 remains in cori'tatiiwith the part 17 may be regulated to a very fine degree by adjusting the part 17 toward and from the part 16, and locking the part 17 in position by the set nut 20.

It will, of course, be obvious that when it is desired to use theinvention in connection with explosive engines, the shaft 5 will be geared with the mechanism of the engine, to cause the rotation of the member 6 to open and close the electric circuit controlling the ignition of the explosive gas, at the proper predetermined intervals with relation to the operation of the engine. 'The ing and breaking device with the mechanism of an explosive engine to control the making and breaking of the contact with relation to gearing of a rotatable part of a contact makthe operation of the engine, is old in the art' and is common and well known.

In the modification shown in Fig.4, 26 is the supporting plate, and 27 the rotatable member provided with the projections 28. Adjacent the rotatable member 27 is the free end of an arm 29, which is pivotally mounted on the plate 26, as at 30. Secured to the arm 29 and projecting therefrom in a. direction away from the rotatable member 27 is a flat spring contacting arm 31, the free end of which is arranged adjacent an adjustable contact screw 32 carried by a post 37 which is insulated from the plate 26. The free end of the arm 29 is drawn nor- I mally toward the rotatable member27 by the action of a spring 33, one end of which is secured to the arm 29, and the other end of which is secured to a pin projecting from the plate 26. Mounted on the plate26 is a binding post 34 to which is connected one terminal wire 35 of.an electric circuit,-the other terminal wire 36 thereof being connected to the post 37.

The operation of the modification shown in Fig. 4 is as follows :-"During the rota tion of the member 27, the project-ions 28 act upon the free end of the arm 29 in a manner to move it away from the axis of rotation of the member, and at the same time move the contact arm 31 in a direction away from the screw 32, and then free the arm 29 to permit its actuation by the spring 33, to the position shown, against the body of the member 27. During the. movement of the arm 29 toward the body of the member 27, the spring contact arm 31 is moved toward the contact screw 32 and to the posi- 1 tion shown; the velocity acquired by the free end of the arm 31 causes it to move into contact with the contact screw 32 after the arm 29 has ceased its direct action upon the contactspring 31; and after the contact has been made the arm 31 assumes the normal position-shown, due to its natural elasticity.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5, 38 is a supporting plate, and 39 the rotatable member provided with projections .40. Adjacent the rotatable member 39 is the free end of one arm 41 of a contact lever 42 which is pivotallymounted on the plate 38. The other arm 44 of the contact lever 42 extends to a position between two arms 45 and 46 of a contact part 47 which is pivotally mounted on a post .48 which is electrically insulated from the plate 38. The free end of the arm 41 of the lever 42 is drawn normally toward the rotatable member 39 by the action of a spring 49, one end of which is secured to the arm 41, and the other end is secured to a pin projecting from the plate 38. The free end of the arm 44 of the lever 42 on opposite sides thereof is provided with pads 50 of non-conducting material, which are adapted to engage the arms 45 and 46 of the contact part 47 and the arm 45 extends to a position adjacent the body of the arm 44 for a purpose hereinafter explained. Leading to the post 48 and electrically connected to the contact part 47, is one terminal wire 51 of an electric circuit, the other terminal wire 52 thereof being connected to a binding post on the plate 38.

The-operation of the modification shown in Fig. 5 is as follows :During the rotation of the member 39 the projections 40 act upon the free end of the arm 41 of the contact lever 42 in a manner to move it away from the axis of rotation of the member 39 and at the same time move'the arm 44 toward the arm 46, and then free the arm 41 to permit the actuationof the lever42 by the spring 49 to move the arm 41 inwardly against the body of the rotatable member 39 and at the same time move the arm 44 toward the arm 45 to the position shown.

During the movement of the arm 41 away from the body of the member 39, the nonconductingmaterial 50 on the end of the arm 44 moves intoengagement with the arm 46 and then moves the arm 46 into the position shown by dotted lines against a sto pin 54. YVhile the arm 46 is being move to this dotted line position, the arm 45 is being moved to the dotted line position in which it is very close to the body of the arm 44, and at the same time the nonconducting material on the arm 44'is moved out of engagement with the arm 45. After the parts have been moved to the dotted line p0s|- on, and they are returned to the full line position by the actionof the spring 49, the initial movement of the arm 44 moves it into contact with the free end of the arm 45 and thus makes an electric contact between the lever 42 and the contact part 47; and immediately after this contact has been made, the continued movement of the arm 44 causes the nonconducting material 50 on the end thereof to engage the arm 45 and move its free end out of contact with the arm44 to the position shown by full lines. Thus, each time a projection 40 passes the free end of the arm 41, an electrical contact is made and broken between the contact lever 42 and the contact part 47.

In the modification shown in Fig; 6, 55 is the supporting plate, and 56 the rotatable member provided with the projections 57. Adjacent the rotatable member 56 is the free end of a contact arm 58 which is pivotally mounted on the plate 55 as at59. Pivotally mounted on a-post 60 projecting from the plate 55 and electrically. insulated therefrom, is one end of. an arm 61, the other end of which extends to a position between .a contact projection 62 on the arm 58 and a body of non-conducting material 63 on the arm 58. Secured to the arm 61 nearthe pivoted end thereof is one end of a flat spring 64, the other end of which extends to a position between the projection 62 and pad 63 adjacent the free end of the arm 61, and the contact spring is arranged adjacent a contact screw 65. which is carried by a post 66 mounted on the plate 55 and insulated there from. The free end of the arm 58 is drawn normally toward the rotatable member 56, and the projection 62, toward the arm 61, by the action of a spring 67, one end of which is secured to the arm 58 and the other end of which is secured to a pin projecting from the plate Mounted on the plate 55 is'a binding post 68, to which is connected one terminal wire 69 of an electric circuit, the other terminal wire 70 of which is connected to the post 66. I

The operation of the modification shown in Fig. 6 is as follows :When the'parts are in the position shown, the spring 64 is out of contact with the screw 65, having been moved to this position by the projection 62 against the frictional engagement of the arm 61 with its pin 60, which is sulticient to hold the arm 61 in any position to which it may be adjusted. During the rotation of the member 56, the projections 57 act upon the free end of the arm 58 in a manner to move it away from the axis of rotation of the member 56 and toward the free end of the arm (31 and contact sfrew 65, and then free the arm 58 to permit its actuation by the spring 67, to the position shown, against the body of the member 56. During the movement of the arm 58 toward the contact screw 65, the contact projection 62 moves from engagement with the spring 64, and the pad 63 of insulating material engages the arm 61 and moves it, and therewith the spring 64, into contact with the screw 65; but no electrical contact is made, for the reason that the projection 62 is out of contact with the spring 64. After the free end of the arm 58- escapes the projection 57, the spring 67 returns the parts to the position shown, during which operation the contact projection 62 first engages the spring 64, thus making an e trical contact between the arm 58 and screw 65 through the spring 64; and immediately after the contact has been made, the spring 64, and therewith the arm 61, is moved by the projection 62 to the position shown. Thus, each time a projection 57'passes the free end of the arm 58, an electrical contact is made and broken be tween the contact arm 58 and the contact screw 65, through the spring 64.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7, 71 is the supporting plate, and 72 the rotatable member provided with projections 73. Formed on or secured to the rotatable member 72 is a gear wheel 74, which coacts with a pinion 75 journaled ona stud on the plate 71. Pivotally connected to the pinion 75, a slight distance away from the center thereof, is one end of an arm 77, which extends adjacent the rotatable member 72, and is provided with a projection 78 extending toward the axis of rotation of the member 72. The arm 77, and therewith its projection 78, is drawn normally toward the rotatable member 72 by the action of a spring 89, one end of which is secured to the arm 77, and the other end of which is secured to a pin projecting from the plate 71. Arranged adjacent the free end of the arm 77 is a contact arm 79, which is pivotally mounted on the plate 71 as at 80.

The free end of the arm 79 is held against a stop pin 81 by the action of a spring 82, one endof which is secured to the arm 79, and the otherend of which is secured to a pin projecting from the plate 71. Projecting from the arm 79 directly beneath the free end of the arm 77 when the parts are in the position shown, is a cam 83 which is adapted to be acted upon by the arm 77, as will be hereinafter explained. Arranged adjacent the free end of the arm 79 is a contact screw 84 which is carried by a post 85 mounted on the plate 71 and insulated therefrom. Mounted on the plate 71 is a binding post 86, to which is connected one terminal wire 87 of an electric circuit,-

the other terminal wire 88 thereof being connected to the post 85.

The operation of the modification shown in Fig. 7 is as follows :-During the rotation of the member 72 the projections 73 act upon the projection 780i the arm 77 in a manner to move it away from the axis of rotation of the member, and then free the arm 77 to permit its actuation by the spring 89 to the position shown, against the body of the member 72. During the movement of the projection 78 of the arm 77 from one projection 73 to another projection 73, the

gear wheel 74 rotates the gear wheel 75 one complete revolution, thus moving the free end of the arm 77 first in a direction away from, and then moving it in a direction toward the arm 79 and its cam 83, during the outward movement of the arm 77 away from the axis of rotation of the member 72, which outward movement brings the free end of the arm 77 to a position directly beneath the cam 83, returning the pivot point 76 practically to the position shown, without permitting the free end of the arm 77 to engage the cam 83. The moment that the projection 7 Sescapes the projection73,the spring 89 returns the arm 77 to the position shown, and during the return of the arm 77 its free end moves from its position beneath the cam 83 and engages said cam and thereby moves the contact arm 79 toward the contact screw 84. The direct action of the arm 77 upon the cam 83, however, does not move the arm 79 into contact withthe contact screw 84, but the velocity acquired by the arm 79 during its movement by the arm 77 moves.it on into engagement with the screw 84 against the action of the spring 82;whereupon the spring 82 returns the contact arm 79 to the position shown against the stop pin 81 for a. succeeding operation. Thus it will be seen that each time a projection 73 passes the projection 78, electric contact is made and broken between the contact arm 79 and the contact screw 84.

1. Inan electric circuit makin and breaking- "device the combination 0 a contact member, a contact part movable into and out of contact with said member, said member and said part being normally out of contact, a rotatable member, an operating part) for moving thecontact part toward the contact member, a pin interposed between and movable independently of the operating part and the contact part, and means for moving the operating part toward and from the axis of rotation of the rotatable member during the rotation thereof, the movement of the operating part toward said axis effecting the closing of the contact parts.

2. In an electric circuit making and breaking device, the combination of a contact member, a pivoted contact part normally out of contact with said member and movable into and out of contact therewith, a pivoted arm, a pin interposed between and movable independently of said contact partand said arm, a rotatable member provided with a projection adapted to arm and move it away from the axis of rotation of the rotatable member and then release said arm, and a spring arm toward the axis of rotation of the rotatable memberwhen said projection escapes said arm, the movementof said arm by the action of its spring effecting the movement of the contact part toward the contact member.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature nrpresence of two witnesses.

Vitnesses S. I. HARPER, A. V. GROUPE.

engage said pivotedto move said JACOB UNDGREN. o 

